BMF Looks to Build on Success in 2008

The BMF is celebrating a year of success in the support offered to members, and is looking forward to offering an even wider array of value for money services in 2008.

Said managing director, Chris Pateman: 'Our mission is to build a stronger supply chain, and 2007 saw us make giant strides in this regard. Our remit extends from campaigning to training; from market intelligence to product knowledge; and from general business advice to specific marketing support.  And with the launch of our latest initiative, the BMF Environmental Code, we can now offer members the tools to report their environmental performance.'

BMF’s 2007 successes include:

• Successfully resisting Trading Standards Inspectors’ ongoing demands for the pricing of heavyside yard products

• Successfully campaigning against local authority plans to make merchants apply/pay for permits to leave delivered materials on the Highway.  Waltham Forest, Stoke-on-Trent, Wirral and Leicester have all backed down following representations by BMF

• Successfully protecting merchants from possible prosecution by HSE for not passing on the names of customers purchasing heavy concrete blocks.  HSE is now working with BMF on a less contentious way to encourage safe handling.

• The launch of three new 'BMF First' advisory services – Security, Transport and Employment each followed on from the original BMF Health & Safety First service.

• BMF’s Spring conference on Electronic Trading proved so popular, it had to be repeated in the Autumn

• The first graduates from the BMF Diploma in Merchanting – BMF’s new sector-specific management qualification

• Government recognition for BMF Training Services – recognised as one of top 10% of training organisations in the UK

• The launch of the new BMF Website, allowing members to download vital information including the latest from the CPA.

Looking forward to 2008/09, the BMF is confident that both its service and support and a revised and improved subscription structure will enable it to continue to grow its membership.

Continued Chris: 'Our focus is firmly on providing ever more improved, relevant and value for money services for members.  This has enabled us to hold subscription rates for three years, since 2005, and for the coming year we have built in an inflation-only increase of 3.5%.  We have also reviewed ways that members can help keep their subscription costs down. For example, producing and mailing information to multiple addresses is one of our largest costs, and our new subscription structure reflects this with a lower core subscription plus a flat rate service charge per outlet. At the same time, we are giving multi-site companies the option of reducing their subscription by receiving only one set of printed documents and downloading copies from the BMF website.'

For further information about BMF membership contact Jon Clay  on 020 7534 7464 or email jon.clay@ bmf.org.uk

Web: http://www.bmf.org.uk